Gardaí not ready to request Kinahans extradition 'at this point yet', one of Ireland’s leading crime journalists has said.
It is widely understood that Daniel Kinahan is living in Dubai - whilst still maintaining control over the cartel.
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris is in the UAE this week and spoke of his embarrassment that the Kinahans started out as small-time criminals in Dublin and had gone on to become some of the richest drug dealers in the world.
Speaking on The Pat Kenny Show, Irish Times Security and Crime Editor Conor Lally said there are a variety of crimes the Kinahans could be charged with.
“They could be charged with transnational crimes as well - moving drugs over international borders,” he said.
“Moving cash from the proceeds of drug deals over international borders as well.
“There’s a variety of crimes that they could be charged with.”
There is currently no extradition between Ireland and the UAE but authorities can still deport individuals and Mr Lally said the extradition of Kinahans has been on the radar of Dubai "for quite some time”.
US Ambassador to Ireland Claire Cronin speaking at Dublin City Hall, after it was announced that the US government is offering a reward for information on the Irish Kinahan crime gang or for the arrest and conviction of its leaders. Picture by: PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo“That would really only arise when there are criminal charges proved [against] them and that would probably take place in either the US or Ireland,” he said.
“Really, the investigation into the cartel isn’t at that point yet.”
Commissioner Harris has been to Dubai a number of times in recent months in an effort to move the case against the Kinahans along.
“I suppose what the Gardaí are looking for is they’re looking for assistance from the Dubai police in placing the Kinahans under surveillance, so we know where they are all the time,” he said.
“And that hasn’t always been the case for international law enforcement; to keep an eye on them, to gather intelligence on them, to know what they’re doing.
“When the time comes, if we get a case to the point where criminal charges are approved… the UAE has already agreed to then extradite them back to Ireland or America.”
'Still trafficking drugs all over Europe'
The Kinahans remain one of the biggest criminal gangs in the world and controls about one third of the cocaine that flows into Europe.
However, US sanctions have severely hampered their ability to do business with American banks and businesses.
“Drew Harris said that they’re still trafficking drugs all over Europe, they’re still importing drugs into the Irish market and through the Irish market intended for other places - including Britain,” Mr Lally said.
“So, the drug trafficking continues but Drew Harris did say that it’s much harder for them now to conceal their money and transfer it across borders.”
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Main image: Daniel Kinahan.
